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Subway, the world’s largest restaurant chain, announced its sponsorship of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) CardioSmart National Care Initiative, which promotes awareness and heart healthiness. The sponsorship is exclusive to Subway among quick-service restaurants.

As part of the relationship with the ACC, Subway restaurants will support the CardioSmart National Care Initiative, a patient-centered campaign to engage people to play an active role in their own heart health and empower them to make better lifestyle choices.

“We are pleased to add the ACC to the organizations we work with that are devoted to healthy and active living,” says Tony Pace, Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Chief Marketing Officer. “Working with organizations like the ACC and the AHA, with which we have worked for 10 years, ensures Subway will be at the forefront of discussions about health and nutritional progress.”

As a category leader in offering healthier and nutritious options, Subway features eight sandwiches under 6 grams of fat among its Subway Fresh Fit choices. The meal choices provide low-fat and low-saturated-fat alternatives with personalized sandwich combinations, fresh vegetables, nutritious sides of apples, yogurt, or Baked! Lay’s Potato Crisps, and a selection of low-fat milk, diet soda, bottled water, or other beverage.

“The Subway menu offers at least 40 meal combinations under 600 calories and brings together nutrition and flavor that can be personalized to meet the needs and tastes of the customer,” says Lanette Kovachi, M.S., R.D, corporate dietician for Subway. “With a large variety of better-for-you sandwich options, consumers can make more informed food choices and take more control in managing healthier behavior.”

Every sandwich includes the following when made to standard formula: 30 percent daily value of calcium, 20 percent daily value of vitamin D, and essential nutrients vitamin A and iron. They are completely free of artificial trans fat, are rich in complex carbohydrates, and are a good source of protein (excluding the Veggie Delite). When made on Italian or 9-Grain bread, seven 6-inch subs have less than 350 calories, and 14 have less than 500 calories.

To help launch the sponsorship, Subway will have a booth at the ACC’s 60thannual scientific meeting, ACC.11, which is being held in New Orleans. ACC.11 is the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, bringing together cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists to further advances in cardiovascular medicine. The world’s largest restaurant chain will also participate in a session during the annual meeting with Jared Fogle discussing childhood obesity. Fogle will begin the day by helping start the annual CardioSmart 5K Fun Run/Walk on April 4.

Fogle, known internationally as “Jared the Subway guy,” lost 245 pounds through simple exercise and eating Subway sandwiches. After 12 years, he has kept off the weight and regularly travels around the country and world inspiring and encouraging children and adults to eat right and stay active. Fogle created the Jared Foundation in 2004 to help eliminate childhood obesity through education and physical activity.

The CardioSmart National Care Initiative is based, in part, on the growing body of evidence suggesting that medical outcomes can be improved when people become more knowledgeable and engaged in their own health management and care. Getting early detection, prevention, and disease management messages into the mainstream—where people at risk for heart disease are already engaged—has been shown to be an effective way to educate people and promote health behavior change and is also a fundamental part of successful public health interventions.

“As people become more knowledgeable about their own heart health management, wellness can improve, early detection can rise, and prevention can be more successful,” says Ralph Brindis, M.D., M.P.H., president of the ACC. “Making small changes in everyday choices can have a profound effect on heart health. Our partnership with organizations such as Subway help the ACC engage people through the CardioSmart National Care Initiative and empower them to live healthier lifestyles and make CardioSmart choices.”